Physical and sexual abuse
Hitting, pushing, strangulation, physical restraint, sexual assault, pressure, or any sexual activity without free and informed consent.
Understanding domestic and family violence
What is family violence?
Family violence is never the survivor’s fault. Responsibility always sits with the person choosing to use violence and control.
You do not need to be ready to leave to ask for support. We can listen, talk through options and help you make a safety plan that is right for you.
More than physical violence
A pattern of behaviour used to create fear and control
Domestic and family violence can be any behaviour that controls, frightens, isolates, exploits, or harms someone within an intimate, family, kinship, caring, or family-of-choice relationship.
It may happen once, but often it is an ongoing pattern that becomes more frequent or more dangerous over time. Some behaviours are obvious. Others are subtle and can be difficult to recognise, especially when control has built gradually.
What abuse can look like
Family violence can take many forms
A person may use one or several of these behaviours. The important question is whether the behaviour is being used to create fear, restrict choices, or gain power over someone else.
Emotional and psychological abuse
Threats, humiliation, constant criticism, intimidation, gaslighting, or making someone fear for their safety or sanity.
Financial and economic abuse
Controlling money, stopping someone from working, creating debt in their name, or denying access to essentials.
Technology-facilitated abuse
Tracking a device, demanding passwords, monitoring messages, impersonating someone online, or sharing private material.
Isolation, stalking, and monitoring
Controlling contact with friends, family, or community, following someone, checking where they go, or repeatedly contacting them.
Cultural, spiritual, and systems abuse
Using culture, faith, immigration status, services, or legal processes to threaten, silence, or control someone.
Reproductive coercion
Interfering with contraception, pressuring someone about pregnancy or controlling their reproductive choices.
Threats involving children, family, or animals
Threatening to harm, remove, or manipulate children, relatives, support people, or pets to frighten or control a survivor.
Abuse by a carer or family member
Withholding care, medication, communication aids, or access to support, or exploiting a person’s dependence on care.
Our local community
Family violence in Armidale and our region
Police-recorded incidents show a serious and continuing need for local support. They are only part of the picture because many people never report violence to police or seek formal help.
266domestic violence-related assault incidents were recorded in Armidale LGA in 2025.
897.3recorded incidents per 100,000 people in Armidale LGA in 2025.
3 LGAsin the New England and North West ranked among NSW’s top 10 for domestic violence incident rates in NCOSS’s 2025 regional snapshot.
Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Domestic Violence Statistics, January to December 2025. Recorded incidents can be affected by reporting and policing practices and should not be read as a complete measure of prevalence.
NCOSS regional snapshot
Housing and financial pressure can narrow a survivor’s choices
The New England and North West has some of the highest domestic violence rates in NSW, with three LGAs ranked in the state’s top 10 for incidents per population in NCOSS’s June 2025 regional snapshot.
54%of people in the region were living in housing stress.
21.8%of children in the region were living in poverty.
32%had moved in with family or friends because of costs.
57%had gone without prescribed medication because of cost.
Financial hardship does not cause family violence. The person using violence is responsible for their behaviour. Housing shortages, poverty, transport barriers, and limited access to services can make it harder for a survivor to seek safety, leave, or rebuild.
The national picture
Violence and abuse affect people across Australia
ABS data from 2021–22 found that 27% of women had experienced violence, emotional abuse, or economic abuse by a cohabiting partner since the age of 15.
In 2024–25, specialist homelessness services assisted around 117,000 people who had experienced family and domestic violence. This was 40% of all clients, and they were most likely to be women and children.
You do not have to leave to receive support
Many survivors choose to stay, and we respect that decision. WSA can work alongside you to understand your options, strengthen your safety, and respond to changing risks.
We support survivors who stay, are considering their options, are planning to leave, or have already left. Our team can develop a personalised safety plan with you, without pressure or judgement.
Information in community languages
Ezidi-language information
These WSA health-literacy videos explain domestic and family violence and Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders for Ezidi community members.
Domestic and family violence
Ezidi-language information from The Womens Shelter Armidale.
Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders
Ezidi-language information about ADVOs and protection.
Useful information and specialist organisations
Learn more
Data sources and dates: BOCSAR Domestic Violence Statistics, 2025; NCOSS New England & North West Regional Factsheet, 30 June 2025; ABS Partner Violence, 2021–22; and AIHW Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report, 2024–25. Page data reviewed August 2026.
Support is available 24/7
You can reach out when you are ready
Free call The Womens Shelter Armidale on 1800 005 352. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.